DAMASCUS, 19 January 2004 — President Bashar Assad has said that Syria had “crossed a long way in a short time” to establish better political and economic relations with Turkey. “We have many things in common. The situation in Iraq has posed a danger to both of our countries,” he said.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily, a sister publication of Arab News, Bashar, who recently visited Ankara, said he wanted to have a joint Syrian-Turkish role in regional issues. “This can be done only through dialogue and coordination,” he added.
Asked whether he had reached an agreement with the Turks on Iraq, especially the US plan to establish a federal government in the country, the Syrian president said the two countries had “identical views” on all issues discussed during the visit. He did not elaborate.
However, Bashar pointed out that Syria was ready to accept what the Iraqis wanted for themselves. “But we have learned from various Iraqi groups that they are against the division of their country and the establishment of a federal government on communal and ethnic bases.”
Referring to US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice’s demands that Syria must stop infiltrators into Iraq, Hamas and Hezbollah activists in the country and interference in Lebanese affairs, Bashar said his country was in constant dialogue with American personalities including congressmen. “We have explained our stand on these issues,” he added.
He said Washington wanted to seal the Syrian border. “We have told them that our border with Iraq is similar to their border with Mexico which is also not free from intrusions or infiltration,” he said, adding that it was difficult to prevent infiltration through the long border between Syria and Iraq.
Asked whether Syria was afraid of the presence of US forces on its border, Bashar said, “As a super power, the United States need not occupy Iraq to reach our border. What we really fear for us and the region is the division of Iraq.”
Bashar denied an American newspaper report on the arrest of six Al-Qaeda suspects in Syria with weapons and a large amount of money. “This is a false report,” he said. He estimated the money deposited by the former Iraqi regime in Syrian banks at about $200 million.
The president downplayed suggestions that Syria had been isolated as a result of American pressure. “We now have very good relations with Turkey, Kuwait, Russia, China, India and Europe,” he pointed out.
Bashar said he had opposed the closure of the offices of Hamas and Islamic Jihad as suggested by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, adding that Powell himself had agreed with him that they were just information offices. “We see here a big power lacking a clear vision of the region and showing bias in favor of Israel.”
He denied allegations made by the British newspaper Daily Telegraph that Syria was in possession of weapons of mass destruction. “The report is totally false,” he added. Asked about the Israeli offer to hold talks with Syria, the president said he was doubtful about the seriousness of the overtures. However, he said Syria would respond to any call for negotiations on the basis of the Madrid principles. He said Israel’s disclosure of secret contacts with Syria was aimed at creating confusion.
Bashar highlighted his strong relationship with Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. “It’s like a family,” he added.
Referring to the upcoming Lebanese presidential elections, Bashar said his country would support all candidates who were qualified to bring together the Lebanese people. “All candidates are friends of Syria and we don’t have any problem with personalities.” He said Syria wanted the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.
